Through its latest report to Congress, the U.S. Army hinted that it is preparing to begin deployment of the second of its new Dark Eagle hypersonic missile systems by the end of fiscal year 2026—even amid the Pentagon’s doubts about its lethality. Specifically, this decision appears to fall within the efforts to rapidly field systems categorized under the Middle Tier Acquisition pathway, with details indicating that this second deployment will be more costly than the first, as it will incorporate missiles with minor modifications to the existing inventory.
Expanding on this point, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted in its 2025 annual report that the cost difference would amount to approximately $150 million, mainly due to the mentioned modifications and testing of the new missiles to be integrated into the platform. Additionally, delays in securing the necessary funding for deployment also had a negative impact, as it shifted from being scheduled for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 to the third quarter of fiscal year 2025.
This issue is significant, considering that the Army had already requested a major budget of $744 million to produce the ground equipment for Battery 3, which will operate the Dark Eagle systems. This includes a basic load of eight All-Up Round + Canister (AUR+C) missiles, whose cost would also increase beyond the 2023 initial estimates. Although the U.S. Army believes that a higher volume of purchases could help reduce production costs—and is even preparing to test more affordable alternatives—it also raises the possibility that Congress may need to impose more frequent oversight in light of the growing expenses associated with the program.
It is also worth recalling that, in addition to concerns from U.S. lawmakers regarding costs, the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) issued criticisms in 2024 regarding the system’s lethality. As reported last February, the office’s concerns ranged from the frequent number of failed missile launch tests using the Dark Eagle system to the lack of documented information ensuring that the platform performs in accordance with service requirements.
Quoting excerpts from that report: “There is insufficient data available to assess the operational effectiveness, lethality, suitability, and survivability of the LRHW system (…) uncertainty in weapon capabilities could result in excessive use requirements or failure to meet combatant commander objectives.” In that context, it is worth noting that it was not until June 2024 that the U.S. Army publicly announced the first successful launch tests, which were carried out in coordination with the U.S. Navy from facilities in Hawaii, with the missiles being directed toward a test range in the Marshall Islands.
For now, reviewing the known details of the Army’s new Dark Eagle system, it is a long-range, ground-launched strategic system developed by Lockheed Martin and Dynetics, intended to enter active service in the form of batteries equipped with four launchers and a command-and-control post. In its prototype phase, the system used TEL-type launchers with two AUR missiles each, capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 17 and distances of at least 2,000 miles, according to the June tests.
*Images used for illustrative purposes only
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